CAMPAIGNERS desperate to save Farncombe’s only bank from closure are holding last-ditch talks with the regional manager.

A group including South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt, town and borough councillors and members of the business community will be sitting down with Lloyds TSB’s Andy Shapcott on Wednesday (September 29) to ask him to reconsider.

“It would be an absolute disaster for this branch to close, it is heavily relied upon by local residents,” said Cllr Stuart Connolly, who represents Farncombe and Catteshall.

“I hope an agreement can be reached and the planned closure will be cancelled.”

Kate Parminter, Baroness of Godalming, has also joined the campaign, warning the bank’s chief executive Eric Daniels that closing the branch could sound the death knell to the area.

In a letter seen by the Surrey Advertiser , she spoke of her "deep disappointment" and urged him to reconsider.

She told him Farncombe was not a dying rural village but a thriving community, and said closing the bank would leave businesses and residents struggling.

“I am well aware of the importance that Lloyds TSB says it gives to community relations and corporate social responsibility,” the baroness added.

“Large spends on television advertisements and employee volunteer programmes count for little, however, if the reality of branch closures tells a different story.

“In light of that I would urge you to reconsider, not least given Lloyds TSB was one of the banks which the taxpayer supported, and continues to support.”

Lloyds TSB began sending letters to customers two weeks ago telling them it had conducted a review and decided not to renew the lease in Farncombe when it expires in December.

A spokesman said the company had taken into account factors including customer demand and the proximity of other branches.

He said people would be able to use the Post Office for most transactions, travel into Godalming or access their accounts online.

Campaigners condemned the move, citing concerns over the impact the closure would have on business owners and the elderly in particular.

James Rattue, the rector of St James the Evangelist, said Lloyds TSB should put people before profits, and Sarah Kershaw, who uses the branch to bank donations for the appeal to renovate Baden Hall, said the company would lose its customers.

Former town mayor Peggy Macfarlane said many elderly people would not be able to travel into Godalming instead, and Cllr Connolly said the bank’s suggestion that everyone could just access their accounts online instead showed how little the management understood their customers.

A spokesman for Lloyds TSB said discussions were ongoing.

Letters and petitions can be addressed to ‘Local Director’ and sent to 75 Castle Street, First Floor, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7LT.